Electrical relay



Nov. 20, 1962 A. P. GAUVREAU ELECTRICAL RELAY Filed July 10, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. A: P/IO/VSE e GAUVEEAU 77 a444,, {Q Ky,

NOV. 20, 1962 p, GAUVREAU 3,065,319

ELECTRICAL RELAY Filed July 10, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. ALPHONSE R GAUVEEAU BY 77/ 124W, 44% EM rraeMs-Ys Nov. 20, 1962 Filed July 10, 1959 A. P. GAUVREAU ELECTRICAL RELAY 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ALPHONSE P GAUVREAU Wa fizz/94M; in. Kym,

ELECTRICAL-RELAY Filed July 10, 1959/ 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. ALPHONSE P GAUVEEAU A T'TOENEYS Nov. 20, 1962 A. P. GAUVREAU 3,065,319

ELECTRICAL RELAY Filed July 10, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ALPl/ONSE P. GAUVEEAU ATTORNEYS United Stats Thisinvention. relates to an electrical switch structure andmore particularly to an electromagnetic contactor or relay.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of anew and improved electromagnetic contactor structure and which includes electrical contact means adapted to be selectively adjusted to a current carrying condition or acurrent disconnect condition such that the contactor maybe readily applicable to a plurality of dif ferent configurations'of electrical circuits.

Another, object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved electromagnetic contactor structure especially designed for use in controlling the electrical energy in a direct: current circuit and which contactor structure includes electrical contact means adaptable, with said contactor in a de-energizedcondition, to be selectivelyplaced-in a current carrying position or a current disconnect position such that the'contactor may be readily applicable to a plurality of different configurations of, electrical circuits.

Still-another object of the present invention is to provide anew and improved electromagnetic contactor structurewhich has at least one setof mating current carrying contact elements, and wherein, with said contactor in a de-energized condition, said set' of contact elements may be readily adjusted to a normally closed-current carrying position, or a normally open-current disconnect position, suchthat with the contactor thereafter energized, said set of contact elements is actuated, respectively, to an opencurrent disconnect position and in a closechcurrent carrying position.

Another'objectof the present invention is the provision of a new and improved electromagnetic contactor structure which has a plurality of sets of mating. current carrying. contact elements and wherein, with said contactor in a de-energized condition, saidzsets of contact elements may be individually selectively adjustable to either a normally closed-current flow position, or a normally open-current disconnect position, such that with the contactor thereafter energized, said sets of adjusted contact elements are actuated, respectively, to an open-current disconnect position, and a closed-current flow posticn.

Anotherv object ofthe present invention is the provision of a new and improved electromagnetic contactor structure, as is refer-red to in the last two preceding objects, and wherein the contact elements of any one set may be selectively individually adjustable to either of the aforesaid normally open or closed-positions therefor without the. necessity of removing the. same, either partially or completely from the contactor structure.

Still another objectof the present invention is the provision of a new and improved electromagnetic contactor structure as referred to in the preceding objects and wherein each set of mating contact elements comprises at least one fixed contactelement and a movable contact element, said mating contact elements being of the self-cleaning type'in that they are carried on the contactor structure in such manner as to wipe one against the other when actuated to either the current'flow position or current disconnect position to thereby cleanse the same.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved electromagnetic contactor structure which has at least one set of mating current carrytent ing contact elements wherein at least one contact element thereof is preferably disposed in a fixed position on the contactor structure while another contact element thereof is movable relative to said fixed contact element and into a current flow-closed position therewith or a current disconnect-open position; and wherein the bearing force exerted by said one fixed contact element against its mating movable contact element is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the force required to move the aforesaid movable contact element to the current flowclosed position with thelfixed contact of said set of elements.

Yet another object ofthe present invention is the provision of a new and improved electromagnetic contactor structure which has a plurality of sets of mating contact elements, and wherein at least one element of each set is mounted on the contactor structure in a fixed position and another element of each set is movable relative to said one element into a current flow-closed position and/ or a current disconnect-open position with said one element; said contact elements of each set being mounted so as to compensate and align with each other. as a result of a wearing of the contacting surfaces thereof.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved electromagnetic contactor structure as above referred to in the preceding objects, and which structure includes at leastone contact station comprising an integral housing which carries at least one set of contact elements and which housing is individually mounted on the contactor structure and hence readily removable for replacement, maintenance or the like; said contact station thus being capable of separate construction and utility and therefore adaptable to be utilized with any desired number of like contact stations on said structure.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved contactor structure, as above referred to in the preceding objects and wherein the contact elements are provided with are disrupting means which are operable on actuating said contact elements to either the current flow position or current disconnect position therefor to prevent the build-up of a sustained arc across said elements.

Additional objects and advantages of the contactor structure of the present invention will be realized by one skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reference to the following disclosure of several preferred embodiments thereof and as are illustrated-in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an electromagnetic contactor or relay embodying the concepts of the present invention and showing only one of the contact stations thereof mounted in place on the supporting structure, the electromagnet of said contactor being in a de-energized condition and the contacts of said station disposed in a current disconnect-normally open-position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on the plane indicated by line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of contactor structure of the. present invention, said structure being shown partially in section, and illustrating inparticular another form of contact station and means for actuating the same, the electromagnet for said contactor being in a'de-energized condition with the contacts of said station in a current carrying-normally closed? position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of contactor structure of the present invention shown partially in section, and illustrating another form of contact station; the electromagnet of said contactor being in a de-energized condition, with the contacts of said station being in a current carrying-normally closed-position;

FIG. is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of contactor structure of the present invention, also being shown partially in section, and illustrating still another form of contact station; the electromagnet of Said contactor being in its de-energized condition, with the contacts of said station in a current disconnect-normally open-position;

FIG. 6 is an expanded view in perspective of the contact station or switch assembly of the contactor structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an expanded view in perspective of the contact station of the contactor structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an expanded view in perspective of a part of the:1 contact station of the contactor structure of FIG. 4; an

FIG. 9 is an expanded view in perspective of the contact station or switch assembly of the contactor structure of FIG. 5.

Briefly, the novel concepts of the present invention are herein embodied merely for purpose of disclosure; in several preferred embodiments of contactor structure which are especially designed for use in an industrial installation such as, for instance, in electrical control circuits for the automatic control of metal processing equipment, or the like. However, it is to be understood that said concepts may also be applicable to other structures; the instant forms herein are not intended to define any limitations thereof.

The contactor structure, as will be hereinafter described in detail consists primarily of one or more indi- Cal tactor structure of the present invention relates to the 7 novel construction of the contact station or switch assembly, and the manner in which the same is linkably connected to the magnet armature. As will be hereinafter described in detail, each of the contact stations is so constructed that the contact elements thereof, may i In this manner, therefore, the contactor structure of i the present invention is readily applicable to various configurations of electrical circuits. 7

Another important feature of the present invention relates to the fact that the contact station or switch assembly is an inegral self-contained unit which is capable 'of separate utility for use with other types of actuator devices such as pneumatic or hydraulically controlled devices. V Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 of the drawings, wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of electromagnetic contactor of the, present invention, the structure thereof is seen to include a base plate 3, which is preferably constructed of metallic material, and substantially rectangular in configuration so as to present a flat supporting face 4 to the contactor elements to be mounted thereon. Said plate, in addition, is preferably integrally provided with rail members 5 and 5a which extend longitudinally along the side edges thereof and which project substantially perpendicularly outwardly from said plate rearwardly of the aforesaid face 4, being thereby adapted to lie against a supporting surface such as for instance an electrical control panel (not shown), so as to locate the aforesaid plate in spaced relation forwardly thereof.

The contactor structure also includes a magnet assembly which in its present form, comprises a magnet stator 7 composed of a plurality of metallic laminations, usual ly formed of soft iron, and which are substantially U- shaped in configuration being disposed in an inverted position and placed one against the other and thence bound together by any suitable fasteners (not shown) to form an integral magnet element. Said stator, as is best seen in FIG. 2, is rigidly attached to one leg 8 of a bracket 9 by any suitable fasteners, as is indicated at 9a, said bracket, in turn, being integrally formed with a second leg -10, which is substantially parallel to the aforesaid bracket leg 8; said legs, in turn, extending perpendicularly outwardly from opposite ends of an interconnecting medial wall part, as indicated at 12, and in substantially opposite directions to each other. The bracket leg 10 is placed against the supporting face '4 of the base plate 3, adjacent its lowermost end as viewed in FIG. 2, such that the spaced legs 7a of the aforesaid magnet stator 7 project downwardly, as is seen in FIG. 2, and preferably in substantially parallel spaced relation to the plane of said supporting face.

A flat anchor plate 12a may also be placed against the back face 13 of the base plate 3 preferably between the opposed rail members 5a, and provided with suitable internally threaded holes which, in turn, threadably receivesuitable fasteners 15, only one of which is shown and which, as is best seen in FIG. 2, is threadably disposed in apertures 16 in bracket leg 10 to thereby rigidly fasten the aforesaid bracket 9 and thus said magnet stator to the contactor base plate 3. V

The magnet assembly also includes an armature 17 which, in its present form, comprises a magnet element formed of a plurality of U-shaped metallic laminations which are placed one against the other and bound together in a manner similar to that utilized in the construction of the magnet stator to thus form an integral magnet element.

The instant magnet assembly also includes a suitable electrical coil, as indicated at 25, which is preferably attached at its one end to the underside of the aforesaid bracket leg 12 by means of suitable fasteners, as indicated at 2-6 in FIG. 2, such that it projects perpendicularly forwardly from the base plate 3 and has its spaced leg parts extending around and between armature stator legs 7a and partially below said stator parts. With the magnet armature actuated to its magnetized position (not shown) the aforesaid coil 25 is preferably mounted so as to encompass substantially equal portions of the magnet armature and stator.

The magnet armature 17 is adapted to be movably suspended from the aforesaid contactor base plate 3 directly below the stator 7 such that its opposed legs 17a project upwardly toward the stator magnet legs 7a. For this purpose, a U-shaped carrier plate 19 is mounted by suitable fasteners 20 to the front and rear faces 21 and 22, respectively, of the magnet armature such that the spaced arms 23 on each of said carrier plates extend upwardly and terminate adjacent the uppermost end of the stator 7. Suitable spacer bars or plates, perferably con structed of a metallic material as indicated at 24 in FIG. 2, may be interposed between the aforesaid faces of said armature element and the carrier plates 19 to thus locate said plates in predetermined spaced relation from the aforesaid front and rear faces of the armature element to thus prevent the arms 23 thereof from inadvertently striking the magnet stator while moving to actuate the contact stations, in a manner as will hereinafter'be described in detail.

The carrier plate 19, disposed forwardly of the armature and stator magnet elements, or to the right as viewed in FIG. 2, is hingeably attached to the contactor base plate 3 in such manner that the armature 17 will move substantially parallel to said base plate, or in a vertical plane with the contactor structure disposed in an upright position as is shown in the aforesaid FIG. 2. For this purpose, a pair of guide or frame elements 26 and 27, hereinafter also referred to as the lower and upper frame elements, and each of which is also preferably C-shaped in configuration, is disposed transversely of the base Plate 3 so that base part 27a and 2311 respectively lies closely adjacent the surface 4 of said contactor base plate 3.

The aforesaid base portion of the upper frame element 2.7 is integrally for-med with a tongue member adjacent eachv of its ends, only one of which is herein shown at 29, and which is adapted to extend into a slot 31 formed in an upwardly extending wing portion 32, one of which is integrally provided on each side of the leg part id of bracket 9. In like manner, the base part 27a of the lower frame element 26 is provided with an outwardly extending tongue 33 adjacent each of its ends and which is adapted to extend into a suitable slot 34 formed in the lower portion of the bracket leg closely adjacent each side thereof. Each of the slots 31 and 34 is preferably slightly larger in dimension than the tongue which it accommodates so that the associated guide element may be freely swingable about said tongue and slot connection.

The upper guide element 27 likewise has a tongue 36 extending outwardly from the end of each of its legs 27a in a direction opposite to the projection of the aforesaid tongues 29, and which is extendable into a slot 37 formed on a hinge plate 38, adjacent each of the ends thereof. Said hinge plate is, in turn, rigidly attached to the front carrier plate 19, preferably to the arms 23 of said plate closely adjacent the upper ends thereof in such manner as to extend substantially transversely thereacross. Said hinge plate 38, in addition, is preferably constructed of a suitable prefabricated non-conductive material such as the resinous material commonly referred to in the art as Bakelite.

' The lower guide element 27 is also provided on the end of each of its leg parts with a tongue 41} which is freely extendable into a suitable slot 41 formed on each end of a hinge plate 4 2; the latter being also formed of the aforementioned Bakelite material and which of similar constr-uction is rigidly attached to the front carrier plate 19 closely adjacent the lower end thereof.

The instant form of suspension mounting for the magnet armature also includes a plurality of leaf spring members 43, each of whichis rigidly attached to one of the leg parts of the lower and upper guide elements 26 and 27, respectively, and which, in additionis each provided with a reversely curved end part as indicated at 44. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, one of said spring members 43 is attached to the underside of each of the leg parts on the lower guide element 26- in such manner that the curved end parts 44 thereof extend downwardly and thence around the hinge plate 42 and the leg 10 of the bracket member 9. Each of said curved end parts 44, is also seen to have a slight reverse curvature adjacent its free end so as to firmly seat against the adjacent surface of the aforesaid hinge plates and bracket member 9 magnet suspension assembly as an integral unit.

It is now to be realized that the framework comprising the suspension mounting for the magnet structure as just described is seen to have somewhat of a parallelogram configuration whereby the guide elements 26' and 27 thereof are simultaneously swingable about their respective hingable connections while remaining in substantial parallel spaced relation one. to the other. And, as will also be apparent the magnet armature 17 is thus supported by thev aforesaid suspension mounting so that it moves substantially in a vertical plane as seen in FIG. 2 wherein the carrier plates 19 also move substantially parallel to the base plate 3 and are also retained in substantial parallel space relation one to the other.

An important structural feature of the magnet suspension mounting as just described relates to the aforesaid leaf spring members 4-3 carried on the frame elements 26 and 27 and the manner in which said spring members engage with the associated parts of the bracket 9 and hinge plates 38 and 42 of the contactor assembly. As is best seen in FIG. 2, the curved end parts 44 of each of the leaf spring members 43 tends to exert a force on the aforesaid contactor assembly parts which is directed toward the center of said spring member, or in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the magnet armature 17 and likewise to the direction of the pulling force exerted by the magnetic field created by the energization of the magnet coil- 25. Consequently, there is little or no opposition to the force of the magnetic field operating to actuate the magnet armature 117 from its deenergized position as is shown in FIG. 2 to its energized position (not shown) wherein it abuts against the magnet stator 7.

It will be further realized that as the magnet armature moves to either its energized or de-energized positions, the curved end parts Mof each of the spring members 43 merely tend to roll along the surfaces of their respective engaging contactor parts as above defined, and thereby are operable to retain the above described magnet suspension assembly as an integral unit.

The contact station or assembly utilized in the present embodiment of contactor structure and as above mentioned being also capable of separate utility with other contactor structures, is best seen in FIG. 6 to include a base member substantially rectangular in configuration and which is provided at each of its longitudinal sides with upstanding wall 51. Each of said Walls 51 is seen to be somewhat L-shaped in plan to define an enlarged part 51a on its one end. Said base member is also integrally formed with a medial Wall 52, which extends preferably upwardly from the upper surface Sti'a of said base member between and in parallel space relation to the aforesaid enlarged Wall parts 51a being in addition, substantially equally spaced from the latter so as to define a pair of open cavities as indicated at 53 and 54 the same being disposed in side by side relation at one end of said base member 50.

The preferred construction for the base member 50 also includes a platform element 55 which is preferably formed integral therewith and located between the walls 51 having a part extending into each of the aforesaid cavities 53 and 54 and in addition having an upstanding rectangular boss 56 extending centrally upwardly from one end thereof and abutting against the adjacent or inner end of the aforesaid medial wall 52.

A pair of identically formed conductor bars identified by the reference numerals 57 and 58, and being preferably formed of a conductive material such as copper, is adapted to be rigidly fastened to the base member 50 and for this purpose each of said conductor bars is seen to be substantially rectangular in configuration having a somewhat enlarged anchor part adjacent its one end as indicated by the reference numeral 59 and 60 respectively and which, in addition is centrally provided with an aperture 61 and 62. The dimensions of the anchor part on each of the conductor bars 57 and 58 are such that said part may be freely accommodated within the cavities 53 and 54 respectively. The anchor part of each conductor bar is securely fastened to the platform 55 by means of a fastener 63 extending through the aperture therein and which is then threaded within a suitable internally threaded aperture provided in said platform element. In this manner each of said conductor bars 57 and 58 extends longitudinally along the platform element 55 on each side of the boss member 56 and projects outwardly therefrom longitudinally over the base member 50 being spaced above the top surface 50a thereof and closely adjacent the aforesaid side walls 51.

With this constructionjthe free end of each of said conductor bars preferably terminates adjacent the end of the base member 50 opposite the enlarged part 51a of the aforesaid walls 51, spaced above the latter, may be slightly flexed toward the top surface of said base member, the purpose for which will be hereinafter explained in detail.

The contactor station or assembly thus far described is intended to be rigidly fastened to the surface 4 of the base contactor plate 3, upwardly from the previously described magnet assembly as is viewed in FIG. 2, and for this purpose, the base member St} is provided with a counterbored hole as indicated at 64 which accommodates a suitable fastener 65, said fastener being threadably disposed within an internally threaded hole 66 formed in said contactor base plate 3.

The base member 51 as preferably attached to the aforesaid base plate 3 in a manner just described such that the aforementioned cavities 53 and 54 formed therein are remote from the magnet assembly 17, and are partially located above the upper edge of said base plate as seen in FIG. 2.

As seen in FIG. 6, the base member 50 may also be intergally provided with a downwardly depending boss element 67 which, when attaching the base member 5a to the contactor base plate 3, is intended to extend around and abut against the upper edge of the said base plate as is best seen in FIG. 2 to thus properly position said base member on the said base plate.

The instant form of contact station or assembly also includes a contact housing which is preferably constructed of two identically formed parts identified in FIG. 6 by the reference numeral 70, each of which is somewhat T- shaped in configuration and having a substantially square head part 70a integrally formed on its one end with a rectangular stem part 70b. Said head part 70a of each housing 70, as best seen in FIG. 6, is preferably integrally formed adjacent one end thereof with a substantially U-shaped rail 73, and on each of its corners opposite said rail with a raised right angled abutment member 74 and 75, respectively. The aforesaid rail '73 and abutment members 74 and 75 are also preferably of the same height.

The housing part 76a in addition is centrally provided between the aforementioned rail 73 and right angled abutment members 74 and 75, with a substantially rectangular shaped cavity 76, the purpose for which will be presently explained.

To assemble the contact housing, each of the aforesaid housing parts 70 are first disposed in the position shown in FIG. 6, and then moved toward one another such that the rail 73 and abutment members 74 and 75 of each of said parts faces its companion housing parts and abuts one against the other. The channel 73a formed centrally in each rail 73 aligns with the channel in the rail of the companion housing part 76 to thus form an aperature 77, as best seen in FIG. 2. Said housing parts, as thus located, are then securely mounted on the base member 50 and also anchored to the base plate 3 of the contactor assembly, and for this purpose a suitable fastener such as clip 78 is placed over the top edge of the rails 73 and has a depending leg 79 on each end thereof adapted to extend over and around the opposed edge of each of the aforesaid rails, the preferred distance between said leg members being such that the clip preferably snaps into place to thereby retain the housing parts 74 in their assembled relation. A suitable fastener such as screw 8% is extended centrally through the clip 78, into and through the aforementioned aperture 77, through the aperture 56a formed centrally in the boss 56'of the platform member 55, and thence into threaded engagement with a suitable 8 aperture 81 provided in the base plate 3 the latter being located upwardly of the aforementioned aperture 66.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the present embodiment of contactor assembly utilizes four contactor assemblies or stations and for this reason is usually referred to in the art as a four pole contactor. Hence, the base plate 3 is provided with four sets of threaded apertures 66 and 81 to mount the base member 50 and contact housing 69, the apertures of each set being preferably vertically spaced one from the other.

With the housing parts 70 thus assembled, the contact housing 69 formed thereby defines an internal contact chamber as indicated at 82, which is open to the atmosphere at its upper end as is best seen in FIG. 1. The hous: ing parts 70 are preferably assembled so as to locate the cavity 76 in each part directly opposite one another and facing toward the center of the chamber 82.

A contact member identified in its present form by the reference numeral 84, hereinafter also referred to as a fixed contact member, is mounted in each of the cavities '76 provided in each housing part 70, and as is best seen in FIG. 6, said contact member is preferably substantially rectangular in configuration and has a stub-like foot integrally formed on each of its ends. The contact member 84 is preferably constructed of a metallic spring material and formed to be slightly convex in longitudinal configuration so as to bend toward the center of the contact chamber 82 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6. Each of said contact members 84 is disposed in one of the cavities 76 such that the foot members 85 thereof abuts against the opposed end walls of said cavity, the dimensions of said contact member and its convex configuration being such as to press its respective foot elements securely against said end walls to thus resiliently retain said contact member within said cavity.

Each of said contact members, in addition, is centrally provided with a solid cylindrical contact 88 which projects outwardly of the convex surface thereof and toward the center of the contact chamber 82;. The cylindrical contact 88 is preferably constructed of an electrical conductive material such as copper. As best seen in FIG. 6, a suitable metallic lead 9 0, the instant form being preferably a suitable strip of metallic cloth or the like, has its one end securely fastened preferably by means of soldering to the central portion of the contact member 84 on the surface thereof rearwardly of the aforesaid contact 88. To the opposite end of the metallic lead 9% is similarly attached a bus connector 91. In assembling the contact station, the end of the metallic lead 90 just mentioned is passed through a hole 92, FIG. 6, formed in one leg of the aforementioned right angled boss element 75.

Although not herein shown, the hole 92 is counterbored from its underside as viewed in FIG. 6, said hole and counterbored part thereof being of such dimension as to accommodate the reduced end portion of the bus connector 91. Said bus connector is firmly attached to the end of said lead 90 projecting through the aforesaid hole 92, and upon mounting the assembled contact housing 69 to the base member 50 of the contact station, each of the aforementioned bus connectors 91, is firmly seated within the aforementioned counterbored hole 92 and presses firmly against one of the conductor bars 57 or 58' closely adjacent its free end, with suificient force tending to flex the latter downwardly toward the surface 50a of said base member so as to provide good electrical contact therebetween.

As best seen in FIG. 6, each of the aforementioned conductor bars 57 and 58 is also provided on the end of its enlarged anchor part with a tab member as identified by the reference numeral 94 to each of which is adapted to be connected an electrical conductor and/ or conductors of an electrical circuit to be controlled by said contact station. I

With the assembly thus far described, it will now be realized that there is electrical continuity between one of the conductor bars '57 and 58 and the fixed contact member 84 carried thereabove within one of the cavities 76 of the assembled housing 69, the electrical connection therebetween being effected by means of the aforesaid bus connector 91 and metallic lead 9%, said head as above mentioned, being permanently fastened at its opposite end to the contact member 84.

The instant embodiment of contact station also includes a movable contact member identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 96 and which comprises a contact arm 98 being somewhat paddle shaped in configuration and integrally formed on its one end with a latching member 98. Said movable contact arm 98 is preferably constructed of a suitable nonconductive material such as thermo-setting and/ or vitreous material or the like. As best seen in FIG. 6, the enlarged head part of the movable contact arm 95 is provided with an aperture 99, into which is securely mounted a contact element 101. Said aperture 99 communicates on one side with an elongated slot 99a the purpose for which will be hereinafter described. The contact element 191 is preferably the same thickness as the thickness of the movable contact arm 96 such that its end surfaces are substantially flush with the surfaces of said arm. The aforesaid contact is carried within the opening 99 in such manner as to be closely adjaccnt one side edge of the enlarged head part of the contact arm 96.

The contact arm 96 is swingably attached to the contact housing 69 in such manner that its enlarged head part is disposed within the housing cavity 82 between the aforementioned fixed contacts 84, as is best seen in FIG. 1. For this purpose, upon assemblying the contact station the movable contact arm 96 is placed between the aforesaid fixed contact members 84 such that its latching member 98 is adjacent the stem portion 7% of each of the housing parts 711. A suitable pin 192 is securely fastened within the center portion of the latching member 98 and has its ends extending outwardly perpendicularly therefrom and so positioned to be freely extendable within a suitable blind hole 103 formed centrally within each of the aforesaid step parts 79b of the housing parts 71), and thus disposed in alignment with each other upon assembling said housing parts '70. The convex configuration of .the fixed contact members 84 is such as to locate the contact elements 88 carried thereby in spaced relation one to the other a distance somewhat less than the thickness of the movable contact arm 96. In this manner therefore, when the contact arm 96 is disposed between said fixed contact members 84, the contact elements 83 are pressed firmly against the same. The contact arm 96 is swingable about its aforesaid pin connection such that the contact element 101 mounted thereon is carried through an are substantially upon which lie the opposed elements 83 of the fixed contact member 84. This are is identified by the reference character A in FIG. 2.

With this construction, and with the contact arm as swingably moved to position the contact element 191 directly opposite and hence in alignment with the fixed contact elements 88, the latter are pressed firmly against said movable contact element 191 to define an electrical connection therebe'tween.

The movable contact arm 96 is intended to be selectably adjustable to either what is defined in the art as a normally closed position for the contact station wherein said movable contact arm is positioned to bring the contact elements 191 and 88 into alignment to thereby define the aforesaid electrical connection, or to a normally open position as defined for said station as referred to in the art wherein the movable contact arm 96 is swung to a position such that the aforesaid contact element 101 is laterally spaced from the aforesaid fixed contact elements 8&5, whereby the electrical connection therebetween is open.

In the instant contactor assembly, this selective adjustment is available individually to each contact stal h tion and performed manually so that said assembly may be provided with any predetermined number of normally closed or normally open contact stations.

For this purpose, as is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, the latching member 98 on the movable contact arm 96 is so positioned upon assembling the contact station, that its ends extend outwardly in substantially opposite directions from the stem portions 7 (lb of the contact housing parts 7!}. Each of the aforesaid ends of the latching member 98 is preferably centrally provided with a substantially U-shaped slot 105. A latch or lock bar 107, the central portion of which is substantially U-shaped in section and having opposed arm or link members as indicated at 108 and 109 respectively is adapted to be slidably mounted on the contactor assembly in such manner as to engage with the latching member 98 and thus swing the aforesaid movable contact arm 96 to either of its above described positions with the magnet assembly in its de-energized position.

To accomplish this, an anchor plate 119 is rigidly fastened to the upper end of each of the arms 23 on the rear carrier plate 19 in such manner as to extend upwardly therefrom and substantially parallel to the contactor base plate 3. In like manner a pair of similarly formed anchor plates 112 is also rigidly attached to the upper end of the arms 23 on the front carrier plate 19 in such manner as to lie firmly against the aforementioned hinge plate 33. Each of said anchor plates 110 and 112 are preferably substantially T-shaped in view as is indicated in FIG. 1, each of which in tum is formed with a series of substantially rectangular slots 114.

As the instant contactor utilizes four contact or switch stations, there is provided a group of four slots in each anchor plate, said slots in each group being equally spaced one from the other and extending across the upper part of each plate immediately below one of said contact stations, as seen in FIG. 1.

With reference directed to FIGS. 1 and 2, the slots formed in the anchor plates iltland 112 below each of said contact stations are preferably in substantial alignment one with the other, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the surface 4 of the base plate 3, being in addition, preferably located centrally below the base member 50 of the contact station. One of the aforesaid latch bars 197, as seen in FIG. 2, has its arm members 108 and 109 slidably disposed in each group of slots 114 in the anchor plates 110 and 112, respectively. Each latch bar is intended to be manually slidably moved in a plane substantially perpendicular to the aforesaid base plate surface 4 between said anchor plates, the U-shaped central portion of said latch bar 187 being of such dimension as to permit a limited degree of movement therebetween. The aforesaid U-shaped central portion of each latch bar 197 is seen to have opposed leg members 115 and 116 extending perpendicularly outwardly from a base leg 117 and connected at their respective opposite ends to the arm members 108 and 199 thereof.

The latch bar 197 is coupled to the latching member 98 of the movable contact arm 96 and for this purpose said latch bar is provided with a slot adjacent each of its ends as identified by the reference numerals 118 and 119 a portion of which is disposed in the leg members 115 and 116 respectively of the U-shaped central portion of said bar 1117, the remaining portion thereof partially projecting preferably centrally outwardly through the arm members 108 and 109.

Each latch bar 197 as thus mounted in the slots 114 in the anchor plates 110 and 112, is disposed in close proximity to the latching member 98 of the movable contact arm 96 of the contact station carried directly thereabove so as to be latched thereto and thus operable to actuate the same and hence its associated movable contact arm 95.

To accomplish this, and as is previously mentioned, the ends of the latching member 98 are each provided 11 with a U-shaped slot 105, this contruction thereby defining a finger element 127 and 128 respectively on the lowermost extremities of said latching member end portions.

As seen in FIG. 2, the aforesaid latching member fingers 127 and 128 are provided with cam surfaces 130, 130a and 131, 131a respectively, the purpose for which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The aforesaid latch bar 107 is carried by the anchor plates 110 and 112 such that the fingers 127 and 128 of the movable arm latching member 98 are closely adjacent the leg members 115 and 116, respectively with the slot 105 in each end thereof slightly above the plane of the arm members 108 and 109 of said latch bar.

This placement of latch bar 107 and movable contact arm 96 is intended to be such that with said bar slidably moved to the left as shown in FIG. 2, the arm member 109 of said bar enters into the slot 105 on the right end of the latching member 98 and is effective to pivot the movable contact arm 96 about its pin connection 102 to the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein the contact element 101 is carried away from between the fixed contact elements 88 to its normally open position.

In like manner, with the latch bar 107 being previously located in its FIG. 2 position, it is thereafter intended to be slidable to the right such that the arm member 108 enters into the slot 105 on the left end of said latching member, being operable to pivot the aforesaid contact arm 96 counterclockwise to thus locate the contact member 101 inbetween the fixed contacts 88 in its normally closed position.

To accomplish this selective adjustment of the movable contact arm 96, and assuming that it has been previously moved to its normally open FIG. 2 position, said latch bar may then be slidably moved to the right whereby the aforesaid leg member 116 of said bar engages the cam surface 131a on the finger 128 of the latching member 98 and swings the latter counterclockwise about the pin connection 102 to thus initiate the counterclockwise swingable movement of said arm. Simultaneously as said latch bar is moved to the right the finger 128 swings out from within the confines of the slot 119 in arm member 109. With said counterclockwise actuation of said arm, the left hand finger 127 on said latching member 98 is carried downwardly and enters into the slot 118 adjacent the left hand latching arm member 108 of the latch bar 107 and as the movement of the latter is continued, the edge of said arm member defining the outer end of the aforesaid slot 118 engages with the camsurface 130 and as 'a result cams the same downwardly and thereby assists in swinging the movable contact arm 96 to its aforesaid normally closed position.

In like manner, to manually adjust the movable contact arm 96 to its normally open position, assuming that said arm has previously been moved to its normally closed 1 position, the latch bar 107 is slidably moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 whereby the leg member 115 of said bar engages the cam surface 130:; on the finger 127 of the latching member 98 and swings the latter and hence said contact arm 96 clockwise about its pin connection 102. And, at the same instant as said clockwise actuation is initiated, the finger 127 moves out from within the slot 118 in arm member 8 of the latch bar 107. In addi tion, the finger 128 of said latching member 98 is carried downwardly into the slot 119 and the edge of the arm member 109 defining the outer end of the aforesaid slot 119 engages the cam surface 131 on said latching member finger 1 28 and cam the same downwardly to thereby assist in swinging the movable contact arm 96 to its aforementioned normally open position, as viewed in FIG. 2.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, one end of each of the latch bars 107 has a pair of slots 10% disposed in spaced relation along one side edge thereof, and which is adapted to receive one leg 108:: of a leaf spring member 109a. The

12 instant contactor structure, being of four pole construction, preferably has one of said leaf spring members 109a for each pair of latchiba'rs 107. The instant structure therefore requires two of said spring members.

As is best seen in FIG. 2,'each spring member 109a is placed between the anchor plates 112 and secured at one end to the latter by means of the aforementioned fasteners 57 in such manner that the legs 108a thereof extend between adjacent latch bars 107.

The legs 108a of each spring member are adapted to be received within one of the slots 107a on the adjoining latch bars to thus releasably lock said bars in their manually adjusted position to thus prevent said latch bars from inadvertently moving to the other of their adjusted positions. 1

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 one leg of the spring member 109a is received within the endmost slot 107a on the latch bar to thus lock said bar inits actuated position to the left so that the movable contact element 96 is pivoted clockwise hence positioning the contact 101 in its normally open dc-energized position.

As will also be realized, with the latch bar 107 moved to the right as shown in FIG. 2, the associated leg 108a of the spring member 109a is received within the innermost slot 107a on said bar to thus releasably lock the said bar in this actuated position.

The operation of the contactor assembly just described is as follows:

Assuming that each contact station has been previously pre-set in the manner as above described to either its normally open or normally closed position, the magnet coil 25 may thereafter be energized. As a result, the magnet armature 17 is pulled rapidly toward its companion magnet stator 7. With the aforesaid armature movement, the carrier plates 19 mounted thereon are also carried toward said magnet stator. And, with the rear and forward anchor plates 110 and 112 mounted to the arms 23 of said carrier plates 19, the resultant movement thereof also causes the movement of the latch bar 107 for each contact station toward the contact housing.

With either the arms 108 or 109 of the latch bar 107 disposed within the slot 105 formed on either end of the latching member 98 of the movable contact arm 96 for end of said contact stations, being thereby latched to said latching member at a point spaced from its pin connection 102, the aforesaid movement of said latch bar hence results in pivoting the movable contact arm 96 for each of said contact stations about said pin connection to thereby move said arm to its open or closed position depending of course upon its initial manual adjustment or pre-setting.

And further, upon the de-energization of the magnet coil 25, the magnet armature 17 drops away from the magnet stator thereby carrying the latch bar 107 for each contact station therewith. And, as a result, the movable contact arm 96 for each station is swung in a reverse direction about its pin connection 102 to thus return said arm to its previously pre-set or manually adjusted position.

In FIGS. 3 and 7 a second embodiment of contactor assembly is herein shown and includes as best seen in FIG. 3, a magnet assembly rigidly mounted on a base plate 126 directly below a plurality of contact stations, one of which is herein identified by the reference numeral'127.

The base plate 126 in its present form is seen to be preferably constructed to have a rail member 127 formed on each of its longitudinal edges, so as to space said base plate "and the contactor components mounted thereon above a supporting surface, not herein shown.

The magnet assembly 125 in the instant embodiment includes a magnet coil 130 suspended from the aforesaid base plate 126 by means of bracket member 131 in such manner as to be disposed in substantially a perpendicular relation relative to the aforesaid base plate. Said bracket member is seen to be rigidly mounted to a platform member 1316;, the latter being in turn, rigidly attached to the bottom end of the base plate 126 as viewed in FIG. 3. In addition, said coil is so formed as to extend around in close proximity to the magnet stator, as identified by the reference numeral 132, the latter also being suitably suspended from the aforesaid base plate and attached to the bracket 13 1.

e instant magnet assembly also includes a magnet armature 133 movably mounted to the aforesaid base plate 126 by means of a suitable suspension mounting which, is best seen in HS. 3 to include pairs of upper and lower link members 135 and 136 respectively, only one of each of said pairs being herein shown, each of which is also seen to have its one end disposed within a recess 137 formed in the aforesaid platform member 131:: and its opposite end similarly extendable within a slot 133 formed in each depending leg portion of an upper and lower anchor plate 140 and 141 respectively. The preferred construction for the magnet stator 1.32 and armature 133 is much the same as in the previous embodiment of contactor structure and henceforth a further description of its construction is not deemed necessary.

As shown in PEG. 3, the magnet armature is in its deenergized position being thus located in spaced relation to the magnet stator, the magnet coil 13% being preferably constructed to have a thickness as to extend across the gap between said magnet components and also of such configuration as to embrace the said components to thus provide for an efficient electro-magnet operation.

Rigidly attached at its one end to the left and right hand sides of the magnet armature, as is shown in FIG. 3, is an elongated carrier plate identified in its instant form by the reference numeral 143. The aforesaid anchor plate 141 is seen to be rigidly attached to the lower end of each of said carrier plates, preferably extending transversely thereacross substantially perpendicular to the base plate 126, and in like manner, the said anchor plate 140 is similarly attached to each of said carrier plates adjacent the upper ends thereof. Each of said carrier plates is also seen to be formed with a slot 144 at its upper end, each of which is intended to slidably accommodate one end of a latch bar 145. Since the instant contactor assembly is preferably also a four pole contactor as referred to in the art and as in the previous embodiment, it is hence provided with four contact stations 127 thus requiring a series of four spaced slots 144 in each of said carrier plates 143 in the same manner as provided in the carrier plates 110 and 112 of said previous form to thereby accommodate a latch bar 145 for each of said contact stations.

And, as in the previous embodiment, the instant magnet assembly 125 is adapted to actuate each of the aforesaid contact stations 127 by means of the latch bars 145 carried thereby, the latter also preferably being manually actuatable individually to pre-set each of its associated contact stations to either its normally closed or normally open position, the preferred construction of said stations and the manner in which the latter are connected to said latch bars now to be described.

With reference now directed particularly to FIG. 7, the instant contactor station structure is seen to include a left and a right hand housing part 1416 and 147 respectively which, when placed one against the other form a completed housing structure 14% as shown in its entirety in FIG. 3. Each of the aforesaid housing parts is provided with an elongated cavity 149 which, as seen in FIG. 7, includes an upper enlarged portion 149a which communicates at its one end with a narrow elongated portion 14%. Said narrow portion of the aforesaid cavity 149 in the left hand housing part 146 extends upwardly through said housing part at an acute angle and away from the edge 146a of said part. In like manner, although not herein shown, the portion 149]; of the cavity 149 in the right hand housing part 14-7 originates closely adjacent the edge 151 of said housing part and thence extends upwardlytherethrough and at an acute angle and away from said edge. With this construction, it is therefore realized that with the aforesaid housing parts in their assembled position to thus form the housing structure 148, said enlarged cavity portions a substantially communicate one with the other whereas the narrow cavity portion 14% in each of said housing parts extends upwardly from opposite ends of said assembled structure preferably substantially at equal angles from a vertical plane located therebetween, the particular reason for this construction being hereinafter more fully described.

As is also best seen in FIG. 7, each of said housing parts 146 and 147, adjacent the aforementioned cavity 149, is formed with a substantially flat surface as indicated at 153, the latter extending outwardly from one side edge of said cavity being defined at its opposite side by a raised boss 154. The aforementioned cavity 149 in each of said housing parts is disposed and so formed such as to define a narrow wall or rim 155, the bottom end of which is seen to connect with the aforesaid boss 154 and the remaining portion thereof being located on the side edge of the housing part opposite said boss element.

With the housing parts assembled in a manner as above described, a contact chamber, identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 156 in FIG. 3, is thus formed, said chamber encompassing the aforesaid cavities 14% and fiat surface portions 153, each of the latter being disposed in a plane spaced in said chamber inwardly of the base of the cavity 149 associated therewith. I

The instant form of contact station, also includes a pair of fixed contact elements each of which is identified in PEG. 7 by the reference numeral 158.

Each of said fixed contact elements is seen to include an elongated arm member 159 preferably constructed of a suitable metallic conductive material and which is integrally attached at its one end to one end of a base member 169, the latter extending outwardly of said arm member at a predetermined angle relative thereto. At its opposite end, said elongated arm member carries a contact 161, said contact preferably being also constructed of a highly conductive metallic material such as copper or the like and having its contacting surface raised above the surface of the arm member. The fixed contact element 158 is also seen to include a blade member 162, which is integra ly formed with and depends downwardly substantially perpendicularly from one end of a bar member 163. The opposite end of the aforesaid bar member 163 is rigidly fastened to one end of a suitable conductor 164, the opposite end of said conductor in turn, being similarly connected to the aforesaid contact element base member t16t), preferably closely adjacent the arm member 159 thereof.

One of the fixed contact elements 158 is mounted within each of the left hand and right hand housing parts 146 and 147 respectively, the particular mounting therefore within the left hand housing part 146 as is best shown in FIG. 7 being now described in detail; it being understood that the contact element in the housing part 147 is identically mounted therein. With particular reference directed to FIG. 7, the fixed contact element 158 in the left hand housing part 146 is disposed in the cavity 149 such that the underside of base member 169 thereof rests upon a substantially flat surface 164 provided on the inner wall of the rim 1'55 defining the closed end of the narrow cavity portion 14%. As seen in FIG. 3, the flat surface 164 in each housing part is angled upwardly toward the adjacent side edge of said part such that the arm member 159 of the contact element 15% supported thereon projects upwardly into the cavity portion 14% disposed thereabove. The arm member 1:79 of each contact element is also so attached to its associated base 16% and thus disposed so as to locate the contact 161 carried thereon in a predetermined position which is approximately preferably slightly to one side of the center of the contact chamber 156. The base 160 of the fixed contact element 153 is the plane defined by the edge of the wall or rim 155. With the fixed contact elements thus mounted in the contact housing it is seen that they are arranged in a loop of approximately 360 degrees, the purpose for which will be hereinafter described.

The aforementioned bar member 163 and attached blade member 16-2 are also mounted within the housing part accommodating its connected fixed contact element 158, the particular arrangement being also herein shown in FIG. 7 for the aforesaid contact element carried within the left hand housing part 146, and for this purpose, the wall or rim 155 adjacent the aforementioned flat surface 153 is preferably formed with a stepped recess identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 165.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the aforesaid stepped recess 165 defines a central substantially flat surface 165a defined on either side thereof by a raised shoulder 166. The bar member 163 and attached blade 162 are disposed in said recess in such manner that said bar member rests upon the inner surface of the wall or rim 155 of said housing part preferably adjacent the aforementioned fiat surface 153 in such manner as to dispose or position the blade member 16-2 to lie against the center surface 165a of said recess, the thickness of said blade member being preferably substantially the same as the height of each of the aforesaid raised shoulders'166.

With the left and right hand housing parts 146 and 147 respectively mounted together to thus form theassembled contact housing 143, each of the aforesaid contact elements 153 is retained in its disposed position within the contact chamber by reason of the fact that the raised boss 154,

only the one formed on the left hand housing part 146 being herein shown, abuts against the end of the base 1611 of the contact element carried in the other housing part, the boss formed on said left hand housing part 146 abutting against the aforesaid base of the contact element 158 carried within the right hand housing part 147 and were versa.

The bar member 153 and attached blade 162 are also intended to be retained in their preferably disposed position within the recess 164 and for this purpose, the present embodiment of contact station includes a tongue member 168 which, as is best seen in FIG. 7 is provided with a substantially rectangular recess on its one end as indicated by the reference numeral 169 and a pair of grooves 17@ each of which is formed on one of the longitudinal sides of said tongue member, closely adjacent said one end thereof. Said grooves 170 are also shown to be located substantially directly opposite one another. The recess 16f and grooves 170 are so formed and disposed on the tongue member such that the latter may be insertable within the aforementioned stepped recess 165, said groove 170 embracing the opposed edges of the housing part wall or rim 155 defining said recess with the portion of said tongue member ex tending between the said grooves 170 lying against the surface of the raised shoulders 166 of said stepped recess. The aforementioned recess 169 formed in the end of the tongue member 168 is preferably of such configuration as to partially embrace a raised abutment 171 formed integrally with the associated housing part extending forwardly of the surface 153 and preferably directly above the aforementioned stepped recess 164-. The tongue member 168 has a thickness that is preferably substantially twice the depth of the stepped recess between the adjoining surfaces of the raised shoulders 166 and the adjoining rim or wall 155 of said housing part; this construction thereby enabling said tongue member to be substantially equally accommodated in each of said stepped recesses. Suitable fastening means such as pins or the like, not herein shown, may be utilized to retain the aforementioned housing parts of the instant contact station in their fully assembled position to thus retain the components of said stations as 'thus far described in their intended operative positions.

The instant form of contact station also includes a movable contact element which is identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 174 and which carries a contact 175 thereon as best seen in Flu. 7, said contact element being pivotally mounted within the contact housing 148 and thus movable to carry its contact 175 into spaced relation with the aforesaid fixed contacts 161 said relation being identified in the art as the normally open position for said station or to a position wherein said contact 175 is in engagement with each of said fixed contacts 161 to thus define an electrical connection therebetween-this latter relationship being also referred to in the art as the normally closed position for said contact station.

To accomplish this, the instant form of movable contactelement 174 as seen in FIG. 7, may be best described as being somewhat paddle-shaped in configuration defining thereby an enlarged somewhat oval-shaped head part 174a integrally connected to one end of a narrow stem portion 174b, the latter in turn being connected at its opposite end to the central portion of a latching member 1740. The aforementioned contact 175 is seen to be rigidly mounted within a suitable aperture 175a preferably spaced closely adjacent to one end of the aforesaid enlarged head part 174a of said movable contact element 174, said aperture, in turn, communicating on one side thereof with an elongated slot 176a, the purpose for which will be hereinafter described.

Each of the housing parts 146 and 14-7 is integrally formed with an ear 176, each of which extends outwardly from the same side of the completed housing structure 14 8. With said housing parts assembled in the manner above described, said ears 176 are so disposed as to be in substantial alignment one with the other and each, in turn, is seen to be centrally formed with an aperture as identified by the reference numeral 177. In addition, the aforesaid ears 176 are preferably disposed in spaced relation to each other defining a distance therebetween which is preferably slightly greater than the thickness of the latching member 1740 of said movable contact element 174. A suitable shaft, as indicated by the reference numeral 178, is mounted preferably centrally within the aforesaid latching member 1740 of said contact element, its ends projecting outwardly from opposite sides thereof, and adapted to be slidably disposed within'the aforesaid apertures 177 within said ears 176. With this construction, and as is also previously mentioned, the movable contact element 174 is pivotal about its shaft connection 178 to thus place the contact station in either its normally closed or normally open position, the specific actuating mechanism for accomplishing this selective operation being hereinafter more fully described.

The instant contact station also includes a receptacle or base member, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 18% particularly in FIG. 3, and which member is adapted to fixedly mount the assembled contact housing thereon so as to be disposed directly above the magnet assembly 125.

As is best seen in FIG. 7, the receptacle or base member 1S0 comprises a left and a right hand receptacle part 181 and 182, respectively, each of which is somewhat rectangular in configuration and formed with a substantially rectangular abutment 183 adjacent its one end. The receptacle parts 181 and 182 are so formed and disposed in their assembled position that one of tudinal edge of the receptacle part so as to provide an additional supporting base therefor and its opposite end as indicated by the reference numeral 184, is seen to preferably terminate below the opposite longitudinal edge of said part thereby defining a flat supporting surface, the purpose for which will be presently described. Each abutment member 183 is also seen to be integrally attached centrally on its one side to a narrow plate member 185 which acts to stiffen the receptacle part. In addition, each of said receptacle parts 181 and 182, is formed with a narrow groove as identified by the reference numeral 187, which extends longitudinally centrally through each of said parts, communicating centrally with a recess 188 located directly thereabove.

The instant embodiment of receptacle member 180 also includes a pair of terminals, identified by the reference numeral 189, one of which is adapted to be supported within each of the aforesaid receptacle parts 181 and 182. To accomplish this, each of said terminals 189 are seen to include a substantially flat square central portion 191 integrally connected at its edge to a substantially T-shaped tab element 192, said tab element in turn being adapted to be slidably received within a suitable lug member 193 which, in turn, threadably receives a suitable fastener 194 adapted to bind an electrical conductor thereto. The opposite end of said central portion .191 of the terminal 189 integrally connects to one leg 196a of a right angle connector bar 196, said attached leg 196a extending substantially transversely across said opposite end in such manner as to locate its remaining leg 196!) in substantial longitudinal extension and adjacent one side of said central terminal portion.

The terminal member 189' as thus formed is mounted within each of the aforesaid receptacle parts 181 and 182 such that the central portion 191 rests upon the supporting surface 184 formed by the upper face of the abutment 183, said terminal being so disposed that the inner edge of said central portion extends into the aforesaid groove 187 to thus position the leg 196b of the connector bar 196 within the aforementioned recess 188. With said terminal thus positioned, the tab element 192 thereof and the lug member 193 carried thereon projects over the plate member 185 being preferably slightly spaced upwardly thereof as is best seen in FIG. 3.

With each of the terminals 189 mounted in the manner just described, it is hence seen with reference directed to FIG. 7, that the leg 196b of each of said terminals is disposed substantially parallel to the inner face of its associated receptacle part and directly opposite each other in predetermined spaced relation.

Sui-table fastening means such as dowel pins or the like, not herein shown, are preferably utilized to retain each of the receptacle parts 181 and 182 fastened to each other to thus form the completed receptacle housing 180.

As is best seen in FIG. 3, the receptacle housing 180 for each of the contact stations 127 is rigidly attached to the base plate 126 in such manner as to be located directly above the magnet assembly and preferably in side by side relation to each other. For this purpose, suitable fasteners, such as screws 201 carried in the aforesaid base plate are threadably received within suitable apertures 202 formed in each receptacle housing, said apertures preferably being formed centrally within the abutment members 183.

As previously mentioned, each of the receptacle housings 180 mounts :a contact housing .148 to thus form a contact station in such manner as to enable its movable contact element 174 to be linkably connected to the magnet armature and thereby actuated to either its normally closed or normally open positions upon said armature being moved as a result of the magnetization of said magnetic coil.

The contact housing is placed on top of the receptacle housing so thatthe aforesaid tongue member 168 ex- 18 tends into the latter between said terminal legs 196i). Said tongue member is preferably formed with a recess 203 adjacent its free end which accommodates a shoulder 204 formed integrally on one of the abutment members 183 of said housing parts.

As will be realized upon viewing FIG. 7, the receptacle housing is so constructed as to permit either end to be mounted adjacent the magnet assembly. Consequently, each of the aforesaid abutment members 183 thereof is preferably formed with a shoulder 204 capable of projecting into the recess 203 of the tongue member 168. In addition, the shoulder 204 preferably has a configuration similar to that of the aforesaid recess 203 so as to be disposed in a snug-like fit therewith.

A suitable retaining member, such as coil spring 205-, extends transversely across the interior of the receptacle housing and has its ends suitably anchored within sockets 206, formed in each of the housing parts 181 and 182. Said sockets are so located that the coil spring 205 engages the inclined edge 207 of the tongue member 168 and thereby tends to bias the latter toward the engaging shoulder 204.

As above mentioned, the blade member 162 of each fixed contact element 158 lies within the recess on one of the housing parts 146 and 147 and has substantially the same dimensions as the depth of said recess. As a result therefore, each of said blade members 162 lies against one side of the tongue member 168, as is best seen in FIG. 3.

The distance between the leg members 1961) of the terminals 189 is slightly less than the overall thickness of the aforesaid opposed blade members 162 and interspaced tongue member. Consequently, when the con- .tact housing is mounted on the receptacle, the said legs 196b of said terminals are flexed outwardly by said blade members to thereby provide a good electrical contact therebetween.

The movable contact element 174 of each contact station 127 is linkably connected to one of the previously described latch bars 145, and for this purpose the latching member 1740 of said element 174 is provided with a groove 209 at each of its ends. The associated latch bar 145 for said contact element is also seen to be provided with a slot 210 which extends longitudinally centrally partially therethrough so as to accommodate th said latching member.

As previously mentioned, each latch bar 145 is trans versely slidable between the carrier plates 143. With this construction, and with the magnet assembly deenergized, the latch bar for each station, for example as is shown in FIG. 3, may be movably slidable to the right until the edge of said bar defining the left end of the aforesaid slot 210 enters into the groove 209 on the adjacent left end of the contact element latching member 1740 to thus latchably connect said components together. And, with the shaft 178 for each contact element being disposed slightly above the plane of its associated latch bar 145, said bar movement causes the movable contact element to pivot about said shaft counterclockwise to thus swing its contact 175 into its normally open deenergized position wherein said contact 175 is spaced from the fixed contacts 161 on the fixed contact elements 158. In like manner with said latch bar slidable to the extreme left as viewed in FIG. 3, the movable contact element is swung clockwise about its shaft to thus locate the contact 175 in the movable contact element in its normally closed de-energized position wherein said contact 175 is interspaced between and in engagement with the aforesaid fixed contacts 161.

With each of the contact elements 174 of the contact stations 127 thus latchably connected to its associated latch bar 145 which, in turn, is a part of the magnet armature, the magnet coil may thereafter be energized to lift the armature upwardly, as is viewed in FIG. 3, to thus swing the contact element'174 from its de-energized to its energized position. For example in FIG; 3, the contact element 174 is swung from its normally open ide-ener'gized position clockwise to its closed energized position. The converse would obviously be true if the contact station was originally preset to its normally closed de-energized position whereby upon energizing the magnet coil the armature would be swung counterclockwise to its open energized position.

In operation, with the terminals 189 of each contact station connected by suitable conductors (not herein shown) to a suitable D.C. electrical circuit (not herein shown), each of said stations may be pre-set in the manner above described, to their normally open or norfinally closed de-energized positions, and upon a subsequent energization of the magnet assembly therefore, said stations are actuated respectively to their closed or open energized positions to thus provide a control or switching function to said electrical circuit. f In FIGS. 4 and 8 is shown a third embodiment of contactor assembly, the construction of the receptacle member and the contact housing thereof being substantially similar to the corresponding components of the previous contactor embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 7 with the following exceptions now to be specificially described. For purposes of brevity, those elements in the instant embodiment that are identical to the corresponding elements in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 7 will be identified by the same reference numeral as is hereinabove used in said previous form.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 4, the instant embodiment of contactor assembly has a base plate 126 npon which is mounted a magnet assembly identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 221. Said magnet assembly is seen to include a magnet stator 223 somewhat E shaped .in configuration rigidly mounted on a plate 224, the latter in turn being afixed to the aforesaid base plate. Said magnet stator is constructed of a plurality of laminations of a suitable magnet material as are the magnet stators in the previous assemblies and is preferably mounted so that its legs face downwardly as viewed in FIG. 4. A suitable torus-shaped magnet coil 223a is attached to the aforesaid stator, so as to surround the center leg thereof and extend between the latter and the outer legs. The instant magnet assembly also includes a magnet armature, being somewhat inverted T-shaped in configuration, and which is identified by the reference numeral 224.

The armature is movably attached to the magnet base plate 126, and for this purpose pairs of upper and lower link arms 225 and 226 respectively, only one of each pair being herein shown, each have their one end pivotally anchored to the aforesaid base plate 126 as indicated at 227. The opposite end of each of said link arms extends freely through a slot 228 formed in a carrier plate 229, disposed on the opposite side of the magnet assembly from said base plate. A retainer plate 230 is rigidly attached to the protruding ends of said link arms so as to lie closely adjacent the aforesaid carrier plate 229.

The instant embodiment of contactor structure is preferably a four pole device as in the previous forms in that it has four contact stations.

Except as will now be described in detail, the components of the instant form of contact station are identical to the corresponding components as are disclosed in the previous embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 7, and hence are identified by the same corresponding reference numerals. With reference now directed particularly to FIG. 8, the instant form of movable contact element, as identified in its entirety by the reference numeral-232, is seen to be provided on its one end with an enlarged oval shaped head part 232a and mounting a contact 233 withinan aperture 233a formed adjacent one edge of said head part. Said aperture 233a also communicates on one side with an elongated slot 233b in the same manner as does aperture 176 and slot 176a of the previous form, the purpose for which will be hereinafter explained. Said head part is integrally attached to one end of a stem part 234, the latter, in turn, terminating in a pair of spaced fingers 235, said fingers defining an opening 236 therebetween and disposed in substantial longitudinal extension with respect to said head and stem parts.

The movable contact element 232 is adapted to be pivotally mounted within the contact housing 148, and for this purpose a shaft 237 centrally mounts a bushing 238 which, as is best seen in FIG. 4, is integrally provided with a pair of diametrically opposed, raised cam elements 239. Each of said cam elements is accommodated within a suitable groove 240 formed on the inner edge of one of the aforesaid fingers 235 adjacent the free end thereof.

A link member 241 is mounted on each end of the shaft 237 preferably abutting against the bushing 238, and is rigidly attached to said bushing, so as to be movable therewith, the purpose for which will be hereinafter described. In addition, each of said link members 241 is formed with a groove 242 on its free end defining a pair of spaced fingers 243 on the free end thereof.

The ends of the shaft 237 are disposed in suitable apertures 245 formed centrally in each of the ears 246 provided on each housing part 146 and 147 in such manner as to position the movable contact element 232 between the fixed contact elements, as in the previous embodiment, the instant fixed contact elements as identified by the reference numeral 246a being somewhat longer than the corresponding elements of the aforesaid embodiment as is best seen in FIG. 4.

The magnet armature 221 is latchably connected to the movable contact element 232 so as to effect its swingable movement, as in the previous contactor embodiments and for this purpose a latch member 247 substantially U- shaped in configuration and defining thereby a pair of spaced arms 248 and 249, is rigidly attached at said arm 248 to the carrier plate 229 adjacent its upper end in such manner that said arms project upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 4, and terminate adjacent to and on either side of the shaft 237 for the movable contact element 232.

Each of the arms of said latch member 247 has a pin 252 mounted on its free end.

With the magnet armature in its de-energized position, the linkmembers 241 and the shaft 237 are swung to locate the ends of one of the aforesaid pins 252 within the slots 243 of said members. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the link members 241 are swung so as to extend outwardly toward the right of the shaft 237. Said link members are retained in this position by reason of the aforesaid raised cam elements 239 seating within the grooves 240 provided therefor on the inner edge of each of the fingers 235 of the movable contact element 232. At the same time, the ends of the pin 252 carried by arm 249 of the latch member 247 are received within the slots 243 onsaid link members 241.

The movable contact element 232 is mounted on the aforesaid shaft 237 and movable therewith so as to locate the contact 233 carried therein directly between and in engagement with the fixed contacts 161, said position for said contact element thereby defining the normally closed de-energized position for the contact station.

It will also be apparent to the artisan, that by swinging the link members 241 so as to extend the same to the left as viewed in FIG. 4, and at the same time locating the ends of the pin 252 in the arm 248 of the latch member 247 within the slots 243 said movable contact element 232. will be swung counterclockwise so as to locate the contact 233 carried thereon to the left in spaced relation to the aforesaid fixed contacts 161, this latter position for said contact element 232 thereby defining the normally open de-energized position for said contact station.

' With this construction, it will now be realized, that upon connecting the magnet coil to a suitable source of electrical energy to thereby energize the same, the magnet armature 221 will be actuated upwardly as viewed in FIG. 4, also moving the latch member 247 upwardly therewith in such manner as to pivot the movable contact element 232 about its shaft 237 to hence move the contact 233 to either its closed energized position or open energized position depending of course upon whether the movable contact element had been previously pre-set to its normally open de-energized or normally closed de-energized position; respectively.

Having thus described in detail each of the three embodiments of contactor structure disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6; FIGS. 3 and 7; and FIGS. 4 and 8, inclusive it is now realized that in each form, each of the contact stations is separately latchably connected to the magnet assembly so as to be separately adjustable to either its normally open de-energized position or normally closed de-energized position.

It is also realized that each of the contact stations is separately adjustable as above described to its de-energized positions without the necessity of removing the same from the contactor structure or without the necessity of adding, removing and/ or re-arranging component parts to or from said contact station or said contactor structure.

In addition, it is also to be realized, that each contact station, including its contact housing and receptacle housing, is separately completely removable from the contactor structure without the need for dismantling the remaining components of the said structure.

Further, it will also be realized that in each contactor embodiment, the movable contact element for each contact station is swingable between the fixed contacts of said station in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the force exerted by the said fixed contacts on the movable contact element.

Further, in each of the aforesaid embodiments, the slot in the movable contact element, slot 99a of FIG. 1; slot 176a of FIG. 7; and slot 23317 is formed so as to have a radius about the associated shaft for mounting said element to the contact housing and, in addition, is located so as to be preferably in alignment with the center of the contact on said element.

With this construction and with the movable contact element in its normally open position, such as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slot in each instance, for example, slots 99a and 176a respectively, is located so as to be for wardly of its associated contact 101 and 175 when considering the direction of movement said contact element will take when moving to its closed energized position. -In this manner, the slot is first carried across the associated fixed contacts, in this case being contacts 88 and 161 respectively, thus helping to prevent the creation of an are between the fixed and movable contacts before the said contacts of the station are in full engagement in like manner, with this particular construction, it is realized that when the movable contact element is swung to its open energized position from its normally closed de-en'ergized position, such as is shown in the contactor embodiment of FIG. 4, the slot, such as slot 233b, is carried past the fixed contacts 161 after the contact 233 on said movable element has been swung away from said fixed contacts. The slot allows the are if it does develop to occur without deleterious effects to the plastic material of the movable contact arm since the existence of the slot removes the material of the contact arm from the region of arcing. The are thus effectively occurs in air;-

It will also be realized that in each of the aforesaicf contactor embodiments, the contact on the removableelement, when moving to its closed position with respect to the fixed contacts, wipes across the faces of said fixed. contacts to thereby assure of an optimum electrical connection therebetween.

It will also be realized that in each of the contactor" embodiments just described, the fixed contacts in each instance are arranged in a loop of approximately 360 degrees within the contact housing. With this construction, direct current travels first in one direction upon initially entering said housing, thence passes through the contact on the movable element and thereafter through the remaining fixed contact element in a reverse direction. Consequently, any tendency for an arc to be created within the housing is prevented and/or opposed.

In FIGS. 5 and 9, is shown a fourth embodiment of contactor structurc embodying the concepts of the present invention, and differing from the previously described forms in that the fixed contacts are disposed so as to directly face and hence be in the path of movement of the contacts of the movable element, the latter being actuated as a result of the energization of its magnet assembly such that the contacts on the movable element are brought into pressure engagement with the aforesaid fixed contacts.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 9, the instant contactor structure is seen to include a flat base plate 301, having rail members 302 integrally formed therewith along the longitudinal side edges so as to space said plate above a supporting surface in the same manner as in the previous forms.

The instant contactor structure is also seen to include a magnet assembly identified in its entitrety by the reference numeral 303 and which comprises a suitable magnet stator 304 rigidly mounted to an anchor plate 305, the latter in turn, being rigidly mounted onto the aforesaid base plate 301 by means of a mounting bracket 306, adja cent one end of said base plate.

The instant magnet assembly also includes a magnet armature 307 which is seen to be movably suspended from the base plate 301 below the aforesaid stator 304 as viewed in FIG. 5, by means of upper and lower pairs of hinge arms 308 and 309 respectively, only one arm of each pair being herein shown.

One end of each of said hinge arms as seen in FIG. 5 is extendable within a suitable slot 310 formed within the aforesaid anchor plate 305, so as to be swingable about said plate. Said hinge arms are seen to mount a carrier plate 312 adjacent the aforesaid hingeable connector, which plate, in turn is rigidly attached by any suitable means to one side of the magnet armature 307. The opposite end of each of said arms 308 and 309 is seen to be extendable within a suitable slot 313 formed within a second carrier plate 314 rigidly attached to the side of the magnet armature 307 opposite the plate 312.

The instant armature suspension also includes coil spring members 315 connected between the anchor plate .305 and the adjacent carrier plate 312, and which provide an even pull on the armature 307 at each of its ends such that the latter moves in substantially a plane that is parallel to the aforesaid base plate 301.

The magnet assembly also includes a magnet coil 316 which surrounds the legs of the magnet stator to thus provide for the magnetization thereof in a manner as is well understood.

The instant contactor structure also includes a plurality of contact stations 317 only one of which is herein shown and which is seen to comprise a receptacle housing 318 releasably mounting a contact housing 319, as seen in FIG. 5.

The receptacle housing 318 is substantially rectangular in configuration and formed with a chamber 320 therein and into which is suspended a pair of knife shaped ter- Ininal bars 321, only one of which is herein shown, and which, in turn, are disposed edgewise therein in side by side relation. Each of said terminal bars 321 is integrally formed with a connector tab 322 each of which extends through a suitable slot 323 formed in the end wall 324 of the aforesaid housing to thus project exteriorly of the latter and provide for the attachment thereto of electrical conductors of an electrical circuit to be controlled by the said contactor structure.

The receptacle housing 318 is open as is indicated at 326 to accommodate the mounting and extension therein 23 of the contact housing 319 of the contact station 317, now to be described. p I

As is best seen in FIG. 9, the instant form of contact housing 319 comprises a pair of identical housing parts 328 each of which is somewhat paddle-shaped in configuration defining thereby a substantially rectangular head 'part 329 connected to one end of an arm member 330.

The head part 329 is integrally formed with a wall 331 extending transversely across the end thereof opposite to said arm member and which in turn projects outwardly substantially perpendicularly therefrom. With the said housing parts 328 assembled to thus form the contact housing 319, the aforesaid wall 331 on each head part abuts against the wall on the associated housing part thereby spacing the head parts 329 a predetermined distance apart to thereby define the aforesaid contact chainber as is best identified in FIG. by the reference numeral 320.

A pair of fixed contact elements, each of which is identified by the reference numeral 336 in FIG. 9, is adapted to be mounted within the aforementioned contact chamber 320, and for this purpose, the head part 329 in each housing part 328 is formed with a pair of narrow grooves 337 and 338 adjacent one side edge thereof, said grooves facing the said chamber and extending longitudinally along the said head part. Intermediate the inner ends of said grooves, said head part 329 is formed with a fiat platform 339, which in turn, is provided on its one edge with a recess 340.

As is best seen in FIG. 9, each of the head parts 329 is provided with the above described groove, platform and recess construction adjacent each longitudinal edge to thus enable the single configuration of housing part 328 to be used in pairs to thereby form the contact housing 319.

Each of the fixed contact elements 336 is seen to have a flat contact 341 integrally connected to the upper end of a contact arm 342 in such manner as to be disposed substantially perpendicularly thereto. Said contact arm 342, in turn rigidly mounts a second arm 343, the latter being disposed in parallel relation to said first arm 342 and being in turn, preferably curved adjacent its connected end to thus space said arms apart a distance preferably slightly less than the thickness of the aforesaid terminal bar 321, to thus form a prong type of connecting end for each of said fixed contact elements, the purpose for which will be hereinafter apparent.

The fixed contact elements 336 are mounted within the contact housing 319 in such manner that the arm 342 of each element lies against the platform 339 on one of the housing parts 329 so as to locate the contact 341 thereof preferably centrally within the chamber 320. Said elements are retained in this position by means of an anchor plate 342a, which has a pair of spaced opposed legs 343a each of which is adapted to be accommodated within the previously described grooves 337 and 338 provided in each housing part 329. The anchor plate 342a is of such dimension as to extend completely transversely across the contact chamber 320 so as to be firmly seated within oppositely disposed pairs of said grooves 337 and 338.

In this manner, the prong-like connecting ends of the fixed contact elements 336, as is best seen in FIG. 5, extend exteriorly of the contact housing 319, the purpose for which will be presently described.

The instant contact station assembly also includes a movable contact element identified in its entirety by the reference numeral 345 which, as is seen in FIG. 9, includes an L-shaped contact arm 346.

Said movable contact element also includes a contact plate 350, formed of an insulative material and mounting a pair of contacts 351 in side-by-side relation and which is rigidly attached to one leg 353 of a leaf spring member 354. Said leaf spring member, in turn, is mounted upon the adjoining edges of the aforesaid contact arm 346, said spring member and contact plate being provided with suit- 24 able slots to accommodate raised shoulders 347 and 348 formed integrally in the legs of the said contact arm 346.

Said leaf spring member 354 is seen to be provided with a radius 356 at its medial part which permits said member to be flexed to thereby vary its spring pressure in a manner as will now be described. As is shown in FIG. 5, the shoulder 347 is of stepped configuration defining spaced ridges 347a and 34711. The spring member 354, as seen in FIG. 5, has its one leg 355 extended over the shoulder 347 so that the ridge 347a of the latter engages with the end of the slot formed in said one leg. With this arrangement, the leg 353 of said spring member is biased clockwise under a predetermined spring pressure.

It will now be realized that with the leg 355 next swung clockwise about its radius 356 upwardly of the aforesaid shoulder 347 so as to engage with the ridge 347b thereon, the leg 353 is also biased clockwise, and in this instance therefor, under influence of a greater spring pressure.

The movable contact element 345 is pivotally attached to the contact housing 319 so as to locate the contact plate 350 and hence the contacts 351 mounted thereon within the housing chamber 320.

For this purpose, a part of the contact arm 346 hereinafter called a latching part and identified by the reference numeral 357 is provided with an elongated slot 359 which, as is best seen in FIG. 5, is centrally formed with three communicating circular recesses, indicated respectively by the reference numerals 369a, 36% and 3600.

A shaft 361, having its ends disposed within suitable apertures 362 formed in the aforesaid contact housing parts 330, centrally mounts said latching part 357, said shaft being adapted to be selectively disposed within one of the aforesaid recesses 36tia-360c. Said recesses and shaft are of such related dimensions as to permit the contact arm to be slidably moved so as to locate said shaft in any one of said recesses; said contact arm and shaft being thereafter pivotally actuated as an integral unit in a manner as will now be described.

With particular reference directed to FIG. 5, each of the aforementioned carrier plates 312 and 314 rigidly mounts a connector plate 362 and 363, respectively, each connector plate is seen to extend upwardly in longitudinal extension with respect to its associated carrier plate, and terminating adjacent the ends of the contact arm latching part 357.

Each of said connector plates is provided with a slot 365 adapted to accommodate a finger 366 formed integrally on each end of the aforesaid latching part 357 of said contact arm.

With the latching part of said movable contact arm latched to one of the aforesaid connector plates in a manner as will now be described, the contacts 351 thereof may be located in either their normally open or normally closed de-energized position and thereafter actuated by the magnet assembly to their closed or open energized position, respectively.

As is seen in FIG. 5, the shaft 361 is disposed within the recess 3600, and the finger 366 on the left end of the latching part 357 of the movable contact arm is disposed within the slot 365- formed in the connector plate 363. As is also to be seen, the connector plates 362 and 363 are of such size that with the magnet assembly in its de-energized position, the slot 365 formed in each of said plates is below the center of the shaft 361. As a result therefore, with the movable contact arm disposed in the manner just described, the contact plate 350 and hence the pair of contacts 351 mounted thereon are spaced from and to the left of the fixed contacts 341 and thereby define the normally open de-energized position for the contact station.

With the magnet assembly 303 being thereafter energized to pull its armature 307 upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 5, the contact arm 346 swings clockwise about the shaft 361 to thus carry the contacts 351 into pressure engagement with the aforesaid fixed contacts 341 to thereby 25 define the closed energized position for the said contact station.

As will now be realized, with reference to FIG. and with the magnet assembly de-energized, the latching part 357 of the movable contact arm 346' may be moved to the right to locate the shaft 361 within the recess 36%. The finger 366 on the right end of said latching member may then be extended into the slot 365 in the aforementioned connector plate 362. As a result of this position of said contact arm, the contact plate 350 and contacts 351 car ried thereon are brought into pressure engagement with the aforesaid fixed contacts 341 to thereby define the normally closed de-energized position for said contact station. Thereafter, with the energization of the magnet assembly so as to pull its armature upwardly, the movable contact arm 346 is swung counterclockwise to thus locate the aforesaid contacts 351 to their position as shown in FIG. 5, the open energized position for the contact station.

Having thus described in detail several preferred embodiments of the contactor structure of the present invention, it is now realized that the objects and advantages as are set forth hereinabove, among others, have been fully attained and will be defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electromagnetic contactor comprising an armature, means for actuating said armature to effect its movement between a de-energized position and an energized position, contact means actuatable to a current carrying position and a current disconnect position, an operating element operatively connected to said contact means, latch means operatively connecting said operating element to said magnet armature and normally urging said contact means to one of its said positions, said latch means being operable in response to the movement of said armature to one of its said positions to eifect the actuation of said contact means to the other of its said positions, and said latch means being manually slidably movable with said armature in its tie-energized position to selectively move said contact means to either of its said positions.

2. An electromagnetic contactor comprising an armature, means for actuating said armature to effect its movement between a de-energized position and an energized position, contact means actuatable to a current carrying position and a current disconnect position, an operating element connected to said contact means, latch means connecting said armature to said operating element and normally urging said contact means to one of its said positions, said latch means being operable in response to the movement of said armature to one of its said positions to eifect the actuation of said contact means to the other of its said positions, said latch means being manually movable with said armature in its de-energized position to selectively move and pre set said contact means to either of its said positions, said unit having means for releasably mounting the same to said assembly, and means for connecting said contact means to said circuit effecting means to thus connect said contact means into said electrical circuit.

3. An electromagnetic contactor as is defined in claim 2 and wherein the latch means connects the armature to the operating element and normally urges the contact means to the current disconnect position.

4. An electromagnetic contactor as is defined in claim 2 and wherein the latch means is operable in response to the movement of the armature to its energized position to effect the actuation of the contact means to the other of is said positions.

5. An electromagnetic contactor as is defined in claim 2 and wherein the latch means is operable in response to the movement of the armature to its de-energized position to eifect the actuation of the contact means to the other of its said positions.

6. A readily removable switch unit for an electrical relay operating assembly having a switch actuating magnet and circuit effecting means for connecting said relay in control relation in an electrical circuit, said switch unit comprising a housing, a switch make-and-break element in said housing, contact means in said housing including at least one stationary contact, at least one movable contact selectively actuatable to current flow and current disconnect positions with said stationary contact means for connecting said movable contact to said switch element, latch means for connecting said switch element to said magnet, said magnet being actuatable to cause the actuation of said movable contact to one of its said positions, said latch means being selectively actuatable with said magnet in a de-energized position to preset said movable contact to either of its said positions, said unit having means for releasably mounting the same to said assembly, and means in said housing connected to said contact means and adapted to connect with said circuit affecting means to thereby connect said contact means into said electrical circuit.

7. A readily removable switch unit for an electrical relay operating assembly having a switch actuating magnet and circuit effecting means for connecting said relay in control relation in an electrical circuit, said switch unit comprising a housing, a switch make-and-break element in said housing, contact means in said housing including at least one stationary contact, at least one movable contact selectively actuatable to current flow and current disconnect positions with said stationary contact means for connecting said movable contact to said switch element, latch means for connecting said switch element to said magnet, said magnet being actuatable to cause the actuation of said movable contact to one of its said positions, said latch means being selectively actuatable with said magnet in a de-energized position to preset said movable contact to either of its said positions, said unit having means for releasably mounting the same to said assembly, means in said unit connected to said contact means and adapted to connect with said circuit affecting means to thereby connect said contact means into control relation in said electrical circuit, and means operable with said movable contact to prevent the generation of a sustained are between said contacts in response to the actuation of said movable contact to either of its said positions.

'8. A readily removable switch unit for an electrical relay operating assembly having a switch actuating magnet and circuit effecting means for connecting said relay in control relation in an electrical circuit, said switch unit comprising a housing, at least one pair of stationary contacts disposed in predetermined spaced relation to each other in said housing, a switch make-and-break element movably mounted in said housing, at least one contact carried on said element, said element being movable between said stationary contacts to selectively carry said contact thereon into current fiow and current disconnect positions with said stationary contacts, a latch member operatively connecting said element to said magnet, said magnet being actuatable to cause the movement of said element, and said latch member being selectively actuatable with said magnet in a de-energized position to preset said element and contact carried thereon to either of its said positions.

9. A readily removable switch unit for an electrical relay operating assembly having a switch actuating magnet and circuit effecting means for connecting said relay in control relation in an electrical circuit, said switch unit comprising a housing, at least one pair of stationary contacts disposed in predetermined spaced relation to each other in said housing, a switch make-and-break element pivotally mounted in said housing, at least one contact carried on said element, said element being pivotable relative to said stationary contacts to selectively carry the contact thereon into current flow and current disconnect positions with said stationary contacts, a latch member connecting said element to said magnet, said magnet being actuatable to cause the pivotal movement of said element, and said latch member being movably actuatable with said magnet in a de-energized position to selectively preset said element and contact carried thereon to either of its said positions.

10. A readily removable switch unit for an electrical relay operating assembly as is defined in claim 9 and wherein the switch element is pivotally actuatable normal to and between the stationary contacts into surface wiping relation therewith and operable to selectively carry the contact thereon into current flow and current disconnect positions with said stationary contacts.

11. A readily removable switch unit for an electrical relay operating assembly having a switch actuating magnet and circuit eifecting means for connecting said relay in control relation in an electrical circuit, said switch unit comprising a housing, at least one pair of stationary contacts disposed in predetermined spaced relation to each other in said housing, a switch make-and-break element movably mounted in said housing, at least one contact carried on said element, said element being movable to selectively carry said contact thereon into current flow and current disconnect positions with said pair of stationary contacts, a latch member operatively connecting said element to said magnet, said magnet being actuatable to cause the movement of said element, said latch member being selectively actuatable with said magnet in a de-energized position to preset said element and contact carried thereon to either of its said posit-ions, said unit having means for releasably mounting the same to said assembly, and means in said unit connected to said contact means and adapted to connect with said circuit effecting means to thereby connect said contact means into said electrical circuit. 1

12. A readily removable switch unit for an electrical relay operating assembly having a switch actuating magnet and circuit efiecting means for connecting said relay in control relation in an electrical circuit, said switch unit comprising a housing, at least one pair of stationary contacts disposed in predetermined spaced relation to each other in said housing, a switch make-and-break element movably mounted in said housing, at least one contact carried on said element, said element being movable to selectively carry said contact thereon into current flow and current disconnect positions with said pair of stationary contacts, a latch member operatively connecting said element to said magnet, said magnet being actuatable to cause the movement of said element, said latch member being selectively actuatable with said magnet in a deenergized position to pre-set said element and contact carried thereon to either of its said positions, said unit having means for releasably mounting the same to said assembly, means in said unit connected to said contact means and adapted to connectwith said circuit efiecting means to thereby connect said contact means into said electrical circuit, and means operatively connectable with said latch member to releasably lock said member in its actuated position.

13. A readily removable switch unit for an electrical relay operating assembly having a switch actuating magnet and circuit effecting means for connecting said relay in control relation in an electrical circuit, said switch unit comprising a housing, a switch make-and-break element in said housing, contact means in said housing selectively actuatable to current flow and current disconnect positions, means connecting said element to said contact means, means for connecting said switch element to said magnet to efi'ect the actuation of said contact means to one of said positions in response to the actuation of said magnet, means for releasably mounting said unit to said assembly comprising means on said unit for frictionally engaging with the circuit efiecting means, and means in said unit for connecting said contact means to said circuit effecting means upon mounting said unit on said assembly to thus connect said contact means into said electrical circuit.

14. An electromagnetic contactor, comprising an armature, means for magnetically actuating said armature to effect its movement between a de-energized position and an energized position, contact means on said contactor being actuatable to a current carrying position and a current disconnect position, means operatively interconnecting said armature to said contact means and normally urging said contact means to one of its said positions, said interconnecting means being operable in response to the movement of said armature to one of its said positions to effect the actuation of said contact means to the other of its said positions, and said interconnecting means being pivotally movable relative to said armature to selectively preset said contact means to one of its said positions.

Coker et a1. May 23, 1961 

